Matthew Stafford shoots ESPN ad, scopes out Calvin Johnson replacements from rooftop

How is Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford spending his offseason? He's fine-tuning his cannon, of course. Stafford threw some deep balls to ESPN employees off the roof of one of the buildings in the ESPN complex. He was in Bristol filming a "This is Sportscenter" commercial.The kid's got an arm. Well, he actually has two arms, but one of them can throw...

Aren't all mock drafts just fantasy? Anyway, Michael Fabiano has two Lions in the top 10 of his first mock fantasy draft at NFL.com: Calvin Johnson at No. 8 and Matthew Stafford at No. 9. In fact, they're the only Lions among the 50 players listed.

According to John Kreger of CBSSports.com, Detroit Lions team president Tom Lewand has indicated that they’ve had some positive negotiations with wide receiver Calvin Johnson’s representatives in order to get a contract extension completed. “(Johnson’s) got a good relationship with Matthew (Stafford),” Lewand told WBBL radio via CBSSports. “There’s a desire to keep...

According to Jason LaCanfora of the NFL Network, the Detroit Lions have to work out an extension for wide receiver Calvin Johnson because his cap number for the 2012 season will be over $21 million, since he hit all of the escalators in his contract during the 2011 season. If the Lions can’t restructure Johnson’s deal, it will make it very difficult for them to get an extension...

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford had an impressive season. He passed for 5,038 yards, 41 touchdowns, led the Lions to 10 wins and the playoffs, and won the NFL's comeback player of the year award. Mighty fine for someone the missed a good portion of his first two seasons. Former St. Louis Ram and current NFL Network analyst Marshall Faulk doesn't see Stafford...

The only way the Detroit Lions do not reach the postseason in 2012 is if and only if, they lose key players to injuries. The Lions have such a high powered offense, led by Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson, that moving the ball down the field, like they did in 2011, should not be a big issue. They do need to improve their running game with a healthy Jahvid Best returning. The rushing...

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford had an impressive season. He passed for 5,038 yards, 41 touchdowns, led the Lions to 10 wins and the playoffs, and won the NFL’s comeback player of the year award. Mighty fine for someone the missed a good portion of his first two seasons. Former St. Louis Ram and current NFL Network analyst Marshall Faulk doesn’t see Stafford...

Mike Florio talks to Dave  Birkett of the Detroit Free Press about the Lions cap space, their key free agents, and Calvin Johnson’s contract. Mike talks to sports agent Joel Segal about Rany Moss’ return to the NFL, Marques Colston’s future with the Saints, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis‘ impressive no-fumble stats.  

The Lions' off-season priorities are clear: restructure Calvin Johnson's contract to free up salary-cap space, re-sign free-agent starters Cliff Avril, Jeff Backus, Stephen Tulloch and Eric Wright, and add some young pieces in the secondary and on both lines who could be contributors soon.

Detroit Free Press reporter Dave Birkett talks cap space for the Lions and what must be done to re-sign key players. Calvin Johnson holds the utmost of power and needs a restructured contract in order to keep the Lions cap-safe. Also, what’s in store for Kevin Smith?

As the Lions work to sign Calvin Johnson and Cliff Avril to long-term extensions, they may have to trim some other players from the roster.